Beijing will become the first city to have hosted the Summer and Winter Olympics after being named as the venue for the 2022 Winter Games.

China's capital was selected ahead of Kazakh city Almaty in a vote at the 128th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

A number of cities withdrew from the initial bidding process to leave only two candidates in contention.

Beijing hosted the Summer Games as recently as 2008 and will now host its first Winter Olympics.

In a video address to IOC delegates prior to the vote, Chinese president Xi Jinping threw his support behind Beijing's bid.

"Let me assure you that if you choose Beijing the Chinese people will present to the world a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Olympic Winter Games in Beijing," he said.

A statement from Beijing's bid committee expressed understandable delight at their success.

It read: "We are honoured and humbled by the International Olympic Committee's decision to award Beijing the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It is with an incredible sense of excitement that we express our thanks to the IOC and the wider Olympic Movement.

"Just as with the Beijing 2008 Summer Games, the Olympic family has put its faith in Beijing again to deliver the athlete-centred, sustainable and economical Games we have promised.

"This will be a memorable event at the foot of the Great Wall for the whole Olympic family, the athletes and the spectators that will further enhance the tremendous potential to grow winter sports in our country, in Asia and around the world.

"We would like to congratulate Almaty 2022 for their campaign. We wish to thank once again all the Chinese people and people around the world who have supported Beijing 2022 in this extraordinary bid journey. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our devoted athlete ambassadors, experts and all who contributed to this victory."

Beijing only beat Almaty by a narrow margin, winning 44 votes to their rivals' 40.

Ahead of Beijing's selection being announced, the Swiss city of Lausanne was named as host for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games.